Leaside Skating Club

Leaside Skating Club

Heroes of 2016

Héros de 2016

When Leaside Skating Club received word that one of their coaches, Jennifer Williams was to be recognized as a hero by Lindt’s Make a Difference program, and that the club would receive $10,000.00 as a donation, the club asked Jen how this would help her community.

Immediately Jen suggested the money be used in an “off-ice training program”. This is something Jen believes is essential in skaters’ development. Taking Jen’s advice, the club created the WOW Hour Williams Off-Ice Workout – and invited their skaters to at least one hour per week off-ice training, which focuses on strength, flexibility and endurance.

Skaters who joined these classes saw rapid improvement not only in off-ice strength, but noticed more power when they skated, improvement in the height of jumps and increased their speed. The skaters love this new program and believe the WOW Hour was a contributing factor to their most successful competitive season ever.

Due to its tremendous success, the Leaside Skating Club plans to keep WOW on their curriculum for current and future skaters to participate. It continues to make a difference in the lives of skaters across all age groups.

Skate B.C.

Skate B.C.

Heroes of 2016

Héros de 2016

Selfless is defined as being concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one’s own, or the act of selfless devotion. Last year, Lindt Make A Difference asked Skate B.C. who makes a difference in their community. We were told unanimously, it was Diane Nielsen. Diane has been a part of Skate Canada B.C. for over 30 years. She started in the community when her daughters began as first-time skaters, and her love and devotion of the sport and for the other skaters grew from there. Lindt recognized Diane Nielsen as a Make a Difference hero.

The Athlete’s Trust, originally founded by Diane is a trust fund set up to help subsidize such things like, various skating functions in the community, as well as pay for team rooms at competitions. Diane believes that having a private and safe place while preparing for competition is an important element for the skaters.

Lindt’s donation of $10,000.00 went to the Athlete’s Trust and extended its reach a little further with education bursaries for skaters, while helping other potential skaters attend the Junior International competitions. For some, this would not have happened without Lindt’s gift.

The Minto Skating Club

Le Minto Skating Club

Heroes of 2016

Héros de 2016

Last year, Lindt recognized Lynne Hudson as a hero to the Minto Skating Club, and donated $10,000 on her behalf to the club. The donation went to a multitude of programs that Minto had always planned on implementing but never had the chance due to a lack of resources. These new programs will make a lasting improvement to the club, its skaters and coaches, and members who want to see it continue to flourish.

One of the new programs at the club identifies skaters making the transition from CanSkate to Figure Skating. This has always been a challenging transition due to their young age, but the new program “NextStar” has been developed to continue the “learn through play” method.

The Minto Skating Club has also contracted a personal trainer to develop a skater-specific off-ice program. Off-ice is critical to a skater’s long-term development, and in working with their neighbour and partner, the Ottawa Athletic Club, they have implemented a program to help skaters who are just starting out in the NextStar program, all the way up to National level skaters. Off-ice improves a skater’s strength, conditioning and flexibility, which in turn, improves performance and reduces injuries.

Minto has also incorporated the Loan-a-Pair program, which provides skates at a reduced cost, to children identified as candidates for more advanced level skating classes. Loan-a-pair is designed to enhance child and youth sport participation.

I agree to the rules and regulations and I confirm that I am of the age of majority in my Province of residenceJ’accepte les règles et le règlement et je confirme que je suis en majeur dans ma province de residence.